If 625^(-x) + 25^(-2x) + 5^(-4x) = 15, what is the value of x?

Question

If  625^{(-x)} + 25^{(-2x)} + 5^{(-4x)} = 15 , what is the value of x?

A. -4
B. -1/4
C. 0
D. 1/4
E. 4

M31-24

askhere · Answer

625^(-x) + 25^(-2x) + 5^(-4x) = 15

i.e.

(1/625)^x + (1/25)^(2x) + (1/5)^(4x) = 15

(1/625)^x + (1/25^2)^x + (1/5^4)^x = 15

(1/625)^x +(1/625)^x + (1/625)^x = 15

3 * (1/625)^x =15

(1/625)^x = 5

(1/5)^4x = 5

5^-4x = 5^1

Equating powers :

-4x =1 ; x =-1/4

Answer :  B

Ambarish

Bowtye · Answer

Simplify the stem to 1/625^(-x)+1/625^(-x)+1/625^(-x)=15

5^4 = 625 so 625^(1/4) = 5 but currently 625 is on the denominator so we need (-1/4).

i.e 625^(-1/4)+625^(-1/4)+625^(-1/4) = 5+5+5 =15

Answer is B

lipsi18 · Answer

Simplifying 625^-x = 5^-4x, similarly 25^-2x=5^-4x; hence
we get : 5^-4x+5^-4x+5^-4x = 3.5 therefore 3*5^-4x=3.5
Comparing power f 5, we get -4x=1 therefore x=-1/4
Hence answer is B

Thanks

sabineodf · Answer

My answer is B as well. Got there by simplifying to the same bases, as above!

625^(-x) + 25^(-2x) + 5^(-4x) = 15
 becomes

(5^4)^-x) + (5^2)^(-2x) + 5^(-4x) = 5 * 3

becomes

5^-4x * 3 = 5 * 3

Now we can solve for x: 
-4x = 1

x = -1/4

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

If  625^{-x} + 25^{-2x} + 5^{-4x} = 15 , what is the value of  x ?

A.  -4 
B.  -\frac{1}{4} 
C.  0 
D.  \frac{1}{4} 
E.  4

625^{-x} + 25^{-2x} + 5^{-4x}= 15 ;
 
 5^{-4x} + 5^{-4x} + 5^{-4x} = 15 ;
 
 3*5^{-4x} = 15 ;
 
 5^{-4x} = 5 .
 
Since the bases are equal, we can equate the powers:  -4x = 1 , giving  x = -\frac{1}{4} .

Answer: B

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi All,

This is a great 'concept' question; the answer choices are written in such a way that you can use them against the prompt and actually avoid most of the "math" altogether (although you do need to understand your Exponent rules....).

We're told that 625^(-X) + 25^(-2X) + 5^(-4X) = 15. We're asked for the value of X.

Since each of the calculated terms MUST be positive (regardless of what the exponent is), we can use the "bases" to our advantage.....

With Answer A, we'd have 625^4, which is MUCH BIGGER than 15 (and we'd be adding to that big number). Eliminate A.
With Answer E, we'd have 625^(-4), which would create a TINY fraction (and we'd add some other fractions to it, so the total would be MUCH TOO SMALL). Eliminate E.

With Answer D, we'd have 625^(-1/4), which will also be a fraction (just not as tiny as the one in answer E), but the total would still be TOO SMALL. Eliminate D.

With Answer C, anything to the '0 power' is 1, so we'd have 1+1+1 = 3. This is not 15. Eliminate C.

There's only 1 answer left...

Final Answer:  B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

bumpbot · Answer

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If 625^(-x) + 25^(-2x) + 5^(-4x) = 15, what is the value of x?

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If 625^(-x) + 25^(-2x) + 5^(-4x) = 15, what is the value of x?

Prep Toolkit

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